My Best Friends: Story Time and Writing Activity

In this one time class, learners will introduce themselves and their stuffed animal friends. If a learner prefers not to talk on camera, they may step out and allow their stuffed animal friend to lead their introduction. After each learner has had a chance to introduce themselves, the teacher will begin to read Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border. During the story, the teacher will ask discussion questions and point out valuable knowledge about the author's writing.

Upon finishing the story, the teacher will guide students through a writing activity. This activity will be guided and fairly basic, encouraging new writers to use finger spaces, correct grammar, and accurate punctuation. Students will leave the class having completed a sentence or two about what qualities a good friend has.

Class Structure:
1. Introductions
2. Read and discuss Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border
3. Complete guided writing activity
4. Share (optional)
5. Goodbyes
- - - - - - - - - - -
Class Policies: 

1 - I work to keep classes to the scheduled time, however, classes with low enrollments or talkative students may run a few minutes under or over. 

2 - If a class only has one learner, I will contact families to confirm if they would like to continue as scheduled. I will teach the class unless the family requests to transfer to another section.

3 - Classes will begin at the scheduled time, even if all learners are not in the classroom (unless there appears to be a technical issue). I will not contact absent learners during class time as I will be focusing on teaching the others. However, if families contact me after class, I will transfer their learner to another section.

4 - If no learners are in the classroom, I will wait 10 minutes before exiting the classroom. In this situation, I will contact the families after I have left the classroom to transfer learners to a new section.

5 - Class recordings will be available upon request for any reason. 

6 - Classroom expectations are as follows:
6a. Learners will remain unmuted the entire lesson but will be muted if the background noise becomes distracting. Additionally, learners must turn on their camera in order for the teacher to verify them. They may choose to turn them off after verification.
6b. All learners are expected to be focused as much as possible for their current age. For younger learners, they are welcome to bring a stuffed animal or toy if that helps. Older students are asked to not have their phones with them in class so they can focus on learning.
6c. Siblings are welcome to watch the class but each sibling must be enrolled individually. Siblings cannot attend and participate in class with only one enrollment to the lesson. 
6d. Families may be nearby during the lesson, however, they must be off-camera at all times. Per Outschool’s policy. 
6e. If a student cannot appropriately behave and participate in a lesson, they will be given three warnings before being placed in the waiting room. The student will be placed in the waiting room as long as the teacher best sees fit and will be readmitted to class when the teacher feels they are ready to rejoin. If behaviors are extreme enough, the parent will be contacted by the teacher and the Outschool team will be notified as well.